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July 10, 2014

Wheat Wars: The Great Grain Debate

Artwork by Walt Kelly

*This post is a light-hearted commentary on the recent attention on the gluten-free lifestyle. *

I have been thinking about it and I have come up with six different types of people. These are not official titles, I just like them...so just go with it! The six types are: "Celiacs aka Gluten-Intolerants," "Gluten-Sensitives," "GF Dieters," "GF Supporters," "Innocent Bystanders," and "GF Conspiracy Theorists."
I have met all of these people while on our GF journey. Of course, there will always be some gray area between groups- but for the most part, people will fall into one of these. Check out our fancy-pants flow chart and find out where you stand!

Now that we have that settled, let me give a little information observation about each group.

The "Celiac" aka the "Gluten-Intolerant"- This is the hardcore gluten-avoider! Most of the people that fall in this category have been eating wheat-free before it was cool and easily accessible. If you are looking for a great resource for your GF questions, they are the ones to ask.

The "Gluten-Sensitive"- This group of wheat-free warriors have made the choice to avoid gluten because it benefits them in one way or another physically. Gluten avoidance can benefit people with thyroid disease, autism and countless other diagnosed medical issues. If you need advice on gluten-free self control, talk to them!

The "GF Dieter"- These waistline watchers are who we have to thank for all of the new GF products on the market. If you cut out foods containing gluten, you may drop a few pounds. It is not a guaranteed weight loss method. This group will disappear as soon as a new "quick weight-loss plan" pops up!

The "GF Supporter"- People in this group are normally the moms, dads, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends of those who eat a gluten restricted diet. They are also known as the test dummies, taste testers and guinea pigs of the GF world. They also help try and find new products for their loved ones. Everybody needs a cheerleader!

The "GF Conspiracy Theorist"- They exist- for real. I am not sure if they are concerned that the rice producing countries of the world are planning a take over or something, but they think that this is just a fad or a scam. If you are a GF Conspiracy Theorist, please know that your criticism is not well received or warranted- accept maybe for the GF Dieters:)

The "Innocent Bystander"- They don't hate gluten & they don't love it...they just don't know about it or care about it. Essentially, they are the draft dodgers of the Wheat Wars! They probably have no idea what the post is about. Maybe their browser is just stuck?

I'm not really sure either way. Honestly, I {{heart}} bread. But I tend to like white enriched breads. It's just what I grew up on as a kid. Later on, as an adult - I find that whole wheat products like pasta tend to make me feel super duper bloated though. I wonder if there is an issue there.

Gosh you know this is one brand I have never actually tried. And I have tried a lot of them and obviously I know of this brand because who doesn't? It sounds like your consultant was great with your little one too.

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I eat whatever I want as long as it tastes good and is what I consider to be wholesome. We don't eat bread very often so I buy whatever I want when I want a sandwich. I think we may only eat bread once or twice a month, so I am not worried about any of it!

This is a good post. My son falls under the "gluten sensitive" category. I, myself, could take it or leave it, but feel I'm healthier without it (because I tend to love it too much and it accounts for most of my calories, anyway).

Interesting. I'm definitely supportive of it, but I also do think there are some that do it for the 'fad'. I read that people who just 'cut down' on gluten are really not helping themselves at all, because gluten is gluten and it's still going to be in your system. I know someone who is convinced that she is "allergic" (really meaning sensitive, but they say allergic) to gluten, yet eat things that contain gluten frequently... Then I've also met someone who is REALLY allergic and cannot have one bit of gluten touch her tongue or it's anaphylaxis, and she carries a few epi pens at all times. So hard :( Either way, it's nice to know the ins-and-outs of gluten, and have some options up your sleeve for when visitors are coming who are GF.

We buy wheat not white. We started buying sprouted bread to experiment with not having wheat in our diet. We wanted to see if we noticed a difference with how we feel, have not really but love the spouted bread.

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Glad to hear that it has benefited your child. I guess a sidebar for the Conspiracy Theorist would be to add anyone on the spectrum as I know that GF does benefit them. Those would really be the two groups that need GF.